I’ve been musing today on a happy theme while giving our dog Dixie her “scratchies.” I’m talking about the so-called “dumb” animals who are, in general, so much sweeter than people . . . so much more loving and loyal . . . so much more deserving of our love for them. And not just the ones we immediately think of as pets: the dogs, cats, birds, the occasional guinea pig or ferret — all those non-verbal, non-judgmental members of our families who give so much and ask so little.

They’re just a few of the multitude of fur babies out there. Take, for example, this friendly boa constrictor from Prague in the summer of 1991 (you’re supposed to be looking at the long, slithery one — the other one is me). Granted, he was scaly and not furry, but very handsome in his own way. When I encountered him, he was just hanging out on the Charles Bridge with his “dad,” who assured me that he (the boa, not the dad) had been fed and wouldn’t hug me too hard, which he didn’t. We bonded immediately, and it was difficult to say goodbye, mainly because he resisted being unwrapped at first. Photo credit goes to my good friend Mary, who thought I was absolutely insane — as did a number of locals in the area. I heard “crazy Americans” whispered by more than one passerby.

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On the much more hairy side, check out possibly the happiest of mammals: this laid-back, carefree, branch-hanging sloth. They plod through life, never deigning to hurry, just climbing trees, munching on leaves or fruit, hugging a limb or each other, and always . . . always . . . smiling. In my next incarnation, I’d like to be a sloth. Hugs are good.

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And who doesn’t love a cuddly koala from Down Under? This fuzzy-eared, big-nosed marsupial with the perpetually bemused expression just begs to be picked up and hugged. Come to Momma, baby. You know, looking at that face again, he kind of reminds me of a second cousin on my father’s side . . .

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And speaking of marsupials, this kangaroo has her little joey with her. So beautiful, so incredibly agile . . . and, I’m told, with a kick that will send you flying if you get in her way. So I’ll just admire her from the sidelines, thanks.

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Well, hello, baby wombat. You are just about as cute as they come, and especially when you get the “zoomies” and go tearing aimlessly about, knocking things over just because you can. But, like your other Australian friends, you live too far away for me to visit. I would so love to give you a cuddle . . . and a mani-pedi.

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Even farther south than “Down Under” are these mystifying, waddling, tuxedo-clad wonders of nature. How do they survive in their native climate, following their instinctual yearly routine of laying the egg(s), leaving Papa Penguin to sit on the egg(s) and hatch them while Mama Penguin goes off to sea to gather food for the family, then somehow finds her way back to her lifelong mate and newborn offspring? It’s a role reversal — and a monogamous relationship — that defies logic but somehow works for them. They are simply awesome little headwaiters, and how can you not love them?

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And speaking of cute . . . Okay, I know I shouldn’t choose favorites, but I can’t help it. This snoozing baby otter just cries out to be picked up and snuggled and never put down. And do I see a half-open left eye? What a sneaky little devil you are, which perversely makes you even more lovable. If only it were legal to have you as a pet . . .

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And next is . . . Whoa! Wait a minute. This isn’t a real animal — it’s Baby Yoda! But he isn’t vegetable or mineral, either, so what is he? And does it really matter, when you’re that cute?

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Okay, I got off-track for a moment there. But let me close now with a gorgeous, majestic, sadly vulnerable (though happily not quite endangered) feline that I certainly wouldn’t recommend as a house pet, even if it were possible. But this beauty — the Siberian snow leopard — is worthy of our admiration and affection from afar . . . wa- a-a-ay afar. So worthy, in fact, that I think one look is not enough:

and . . .

And so I leave you, ‘til next time, with these beautiful images. (Do I hear someone calling “Here, kitty, kitty, kitty”? Wouldn’t blame you if you were.)

Brendochka
1/15/24